January 2008 - Iraq Special Weapons News

08 January 2008 - Iraq Special Weapons News

Bush Calls Iran's Confrontation With US Navy Vessels a Provocative Act VOA 08 Jan 2008 -- President Bush says Iran should not confront U.S. naval vessels in the Persian Gulf
Gates Calls on Iran to Disavow Aggressors at Sea AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on Iran yesterday to disavow the actions of five high-speed boats that reportedly threatened to blow up three U.S. Navy warships in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranians Call Hormuz Incident ‘Normal,’ U.S. Begs to Differ AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- Iranian officials called the buzzing by five Revolutionary Guard speedboats of three U.S. Navy ships “normal,” but American officials insist the behavior was reckless and needlessly provocative.
US Releases Video of Naval Incident With Iran VOA 08 Jan 2008 -- The U.S. Defense Department has released video and sound of the incident Sunday in the Persian Gulf, when small boats believed to be from Iran's Revolutionary Guard force menaced three U.S. Navy ships
President Warns Iran of ‘Serious Consequences’ AFPS 09 Jan 2008 -- President Bush today warned Iran against attacking U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bush Issues Warning to Iran VOA 09 Jan 2008 -- President Bush is warning Iran of serious consequences if it attacks U.S. ships in international waters

Jan. 7 airpower summary: C-130s deliver troops, supplies where needed AFPN 08 Jan 2008
Balad Airmen keep order, maintain security AFPN 08 Jan 2008 -- Maintaining a safe and secure base for deployed members would be impossible without the help of a group of Balad Air Base Airmen who took an oath, promising to serve and protect their fellow troops.
Multi-National Corps – Iraq commences Phantom Phoenix MNF-I 08 Jan 2008 -- Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, today announced the beginning of Operation Phantom Phoenix.
‘Phantom Phoenix’ Operation Targets al Qaeda in Iraq AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- U.S. and Iraqi forces today launched Operation Phantom Phoenix, a joint offensive designed to corral remaining al Qaeda-aligned terrorists and other insurgents in Iraq, according to a senior military official.
UK suffers more wounded casualties in Afghanistan than Iraq IRNA 08 Jan 2008 -- British troops are now suffering a higher wounded casualty rate in Afghanistan than in Iraq, according to new official figures.

Bush, Turkish President Discuss Kurdish Rebels VOA 08 Jan 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush and Turkish President Abdullah Gul say their countries are working together to fight Kurdish rebels based in Iraq
Odierno Cites Positive Trends in Iraq AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- The commander of coalition ground forces in Iraq today cited a series of positive trends that includes more civilian cooperation and declines in attacks and in military and civilian casualties.
Corps Planners Finish Review of Iraq Campaign Plan AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- Multinational Corps Iraq officials have finished a campaign plan review and have launched operations to pursue al Qaeda in northern Iraq, the corps commander said today.
Surge, Strategy Working in Iraq, But Challenges Remain, Petraeus Says AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- As the troop surge in Iraq approaches its one-year anniversary, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq said he’s buoyed by successes made and momentum built, but recognizes the job is far from over.
Bush Praises Reconstruction Teams for Building on Iraqi Progress AFPS 08 Jan 2008 -- President Bush today hailed provincial reconstruction teams operating in Iraq as vital partners in the strategy that has improved security and helped to create conditions for the Iraqi government to succeed.

UN seeks $261 million to help hundreds of thousands of displaced Iraqis UN News Centre 08 Jan 2008 -- The United Nations refugee agency is seeking $261 million this year to help some of the 4 million people uprooted by the conflict in Iraq, covering many of the 2.2 million Iraqis displaced within the country and the 2 million who have fled beyond its borders.
UN Refugee Agency Seeks $261 Million for Iraqi Refugees VOA 08 Jan 2008 -- The U.N. refugee agency says it is seeking $261 million this year to help Iraqis driven from their homes by violence.
IRAQ-SYRIA: WFP food aid for Iraqi IDPs, refugees in Syria IRIN 08 Jan 2008 -- Iraqi officials and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have welcomed the UN World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency operation announced on 3 January to provide food aid to displaced Iraqi families.

Leaders in Iraq's Anbar Province Join to Fight Insurgents VOA 08 Jan 2008 -- In the past few months, U.S. military leaders in Iraq have been praising the work of so-called "Anbar Awakening" councils composed of Sunni tribal leaders in western Anbar province.